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1.
NeuroRehabilitation ; 54(4): 663-675, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38875050

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurologic disease in young adults. Spasticity is one of its most disabling symptoms, with botulinum toxin A type A (BoNT-A) being one of the treatments of choice for this symptom. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the response to abobotulinumtoxinA in improving walking ability and fatigue in patients with spastic paraparesis caused by MS. METHODS: We performed a real-world, multicenter, prospective, open-label low-intervention trial in 84 patients with MS and spastic paraparesis of the lower limbs infiltrated with abobotulinumtoxinA (LINITOX study). The response of spasticity, walking ability and fatigue is analyzed in 4 cycles of ultrasound-guided injection in the lower limbs. RESULTS: The patients improved their walking ability by an average of 11.34% meters measured with 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and decreased the percentage of fatigue by 6.86% (4.66 percentage points less), in the 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) 4 weeks after abobotulinumtoxinA injection, both values are statistically significant. This improvement seems to persist over time, throughout the cycles. CONCLUSION: We found improved walking ability and less fatigue in patients with MS-related spastic paresis of the lower limbs after injection of abobotulinumtoxinA.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A , Fatigue , Multiple Sclerosis , Neuromuscular Agents , Paraparesis, Spastic , Humans , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use , Female , Male , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Adult , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosage , Neuromuscular Agents/therapeutic use , Paraparesis, Spastic/drug therapy , Paraparesis, Spastic/etiology , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Fatigue/drug therapy , Fatigue/etiology , Gait/drug effects , Treatment Outcome
2.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710465

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Biological therapies used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have shown to be effective and safe, although these results were obtained from studies involving mostly a young population, who are generally included in clinical trials. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the different biological treatments in the elderly population. METHODS: Multicenter study was carried out in the GETECCU group. Patients diagnosed with IBD and aged over 65 years at the time of initiating biological therapy (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, ustekinumab or vedolizumab) were retrospectively included. Among the patients included, clinical response was assessed after drug induction (12 weeks of treatment) and at 52 weeks. Patients' colonoscopy data in week 52 were assessment, where available. Regarding complications, development of oncological events during follow-up and infectious processes occurring during biological treatment were collected (excluding bowel infection by cytomegalovirus). RESULTS: A total of 1090 patients were included. After induction, at approximately 12-14 weeks of treatment, 419 patients (39.6%) were in clinical remission, 502 patients (47.4%) had responded without remission and 137 patients (12.9%) had no response. At 52 weeks of treatment 442 patients (57.1%) had achieved clinical remission, 249 patients had responded without remission (32.2%) and 53 patients had no response to the treatment (6.8%). Before 52 weeks, 129 patients (14.8%) had discontinued treatment due to inefficacy, this being significantly higher (p<0.0001) for Golimumab - 9 patients (37.5%) - compared to the other biological treatments analyzed. With respect to tumor development, an oncological event was observed in 74 patients (6.9%): 30 patients (8%) on infliximab, 23 (7.14%) on adalimumab, 3 (11.1%) on golimumab, 10 (6.4%) on ustekinumab, and 8 (3.8%) on vedolizumab. The incidence was significantly lower (p=0.04) for the vedolizumab group compared to other treatments. As regards infections, these occurred in 160 patients during treatment (14.9%), with no differences between the different biologicals used (p=0.61): 61 patients (19.4%) on infliximab, 39 (12.5%) on adalimumab, 5 (17.8%) on golimumab, 22 (14.1%) on ustekinumab, and 34 (16.5%) on vedolizumab. CONCLUSIONS: Biological drug therapies have response rates in elderly patients similar to those described in the general population, Golimumab was the drug that was discontinued most frequently due to inefficacy. In our experience, tumor development was more frequent in patients who used anti-TNF therapies compared to other targets, although its incidence was generally low and that this is in line with younger patients based on previous literature.

3.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord ; 124: 106989, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38754220

ABSTRACT

The ATP10B gene has been proposed to play an important role in the development of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Nevertheless, various studies have presented controversial conclusions regarding the involvement of this gene in PD. Here, we screened 1162 patients with PD, employing a targeted resequencing approach to investigate the putative relevance of this gene in a large independent cohort of these patients from southern Spain. Variations were classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria. Association studies were performed using data of a representative healthy Spanish population from the Medical Genome Project. Frequent variants were excluded. A total of 68 variants (rare or very rare) were detected in our cohort. Among ATP10B variant carriers, 12.9 % were putative compound heterozygous carriers; of these, 25 % were patients with early-onset PD. No evidence of a relation between any rare variants of ATP10B and PD risk was observed. Therefore, our results do not support a role for ATP10B in the onset of PD, or in the risk of developing it.


Subject(s)
Parkinson Disease , Humans , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Spain/epidemiology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Cohort Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Adult
4.
Phys Chem Chem Phys ; 26(22): 15844-15849, 2024 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38779829

ABSTRACT

We report the magnetic structure and properties of a thiocyanate-based honeycomb magnet [Na(OH2)3]Mn(NCS)3 which crystallises in the unusual low-symmetry trigonal space group P3̄. Magnetic measurements on powder samples show this material is an antiferromagnet (ordering temperature TN,mag = 18.1(6) K) and can be described by nearest neighbour antiferromagnetic interactions J = -11.07(4) K. A method for growing neutron-diffraction sized single crystals (>10 mm3) is demonstrated. Low temperature neutron single crystal diffraction shows that the compound adopts the collinear antiferromagnetic structure with TN,neut = 18.94(7) K, magnetic space group P3̄'. Low temperature second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements provide no evidence of breaking of the centre of symmetry.

5.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Jun 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38617224

ABSTRACT

Substance use, including cigarettes and cannabis, is associated with poorer sustained attention in late adolescence and early adulthood. Previous studies were predominantly cross-sectional or under-powered and could not indicate if impairment in sustained attention was a predictor of substance-use or a marker of the inclination to engage in such behaviour. This study explored the relationship between sustained attention and substance use across a longitudinal span from ages 14 to 23 in over 1,000 participants. Behaviours and brain connectivity associated with diminished sustained attention at age 14 predicted subsequent increases in cannabis and cigarette smoking, establishing sustained attention as a robust biomarker for vulnerability to substance use. Individual differences in network strength relevant to sustained attention were preserved across developmental stages and sustained attention networks generalized to participants in an external dataset. In summary, brain networks of sustained attention are robust, consistent, and able to predict aspects of later substance use.

6.
Res Sq ; 2024 Mar 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38562802

ABSTRACT

In a double-blinded cross-over design, 30 adults (mean age = 25.57, SD = 3.74; all male) were administered racemic ketamine and compared against saline infusion as a control. Both task-driven (auditory oddball paradigm) and resting-state EEG were recorded. HOI were computed using advanced multivariate information theory tools, allowing us to quantify nonlinear statistical dependencies between all possible electrode combinations. Results: Ketamine increased redundancy in brain dynamics, most significantly in the alpha frequency band. Redundancy was more evident during the resting state, associated with a shift in conscious states towards more dissociative tendencies. Furthermore, in the task-driven context (auditory oddball), the impact of ketamine on redundancy was more significant for predictable (standard stimuli) compared to deviant ones. Finally, associations were observed between ketamine's HOI and experiences of derealization. Conclusions: Ketamine appears to increase redundancy and genuine HOI across metrics, suggesting these effects correlate with consciousness alterations towards dissociation. HOI represents an innovative method to combine all signal spatial interactions obtained from low-density dry EEG in drug interventions, as it is the only approach that exploits all possible combinations from different electrodes. This research emphasizes the potential of complexity measures coupled with portable EEG devices in monitoring shifts in consciousness, especially when paired with low-density configurations, paving the way for better understanding and monitoring of pharmacological-induced changes.

7.
BMC Geriatr ; 23(1): 737, 2023 11 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37957597

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are a lot of tools to use for fall assessment, but there is not yet one that predicts the risk of falls in the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the use of the G-STRIDE prototype in the analysis of fall risk, defining the cut-off points to predict the risk of falling and developing a predictive model that allows discriminating between subjects with and without fall risks and those at risk of future falls. METHODS: An observational, multicenter case-control study was conducted with older people coming from two different public hospitals and three different nursing homes. We gathered clinical variables ( Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Standardized Frailty Criteria, Speed 4 m walk, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Time-Up Go Test, and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS)) and measured gait kinematics using an inertial measure unit (IMU). We performed a logistic regression model using a training set of observations (70% of the participants) to predict the probability of falls. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants were included, 86 people with gait and balance disorders or falls and 77 without falls; 67,8% were females, with a mean age of 82,63 ± 6,01 years. G-STRIDE made it possible to measure gait parameters under normal living conditions. There are 46 cut-off values of conventional clinical parameters and those estimated with the G-STRIDE solution. A logistic regression mixed model, with four conventional and 2 kinematic variables allows us to identify people at risk of falls showing good predictive value with AUC of 77,6% (sensitivity 0,773 y specificity 0,780). In addition, we could predict the fallers in the test group (30% observations not in the model) with similar performance to conventional methods. CONCLUSIONS: The G-STRIDE IMU device allows to predict the risk of falls using a mixed model with an accuracy of 0,776 with similar performance to conventional model. This approach allows better precision, low cost and less infrastructures for an early intervention and prevention of future falls.


Subject(s)
Gait , Walking , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Case-Control Studies , Postural Balance , Risk Assessment/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity , Aged, 80 and over
8.
Life (Basel) ; 13(7)2023 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37511893

ABSTRACT

Monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) are a wide range of diseases that may evolve or progress over time. Comorbidity plays a critical role in this setting. The co-occurrence of two MGs is not a rare event. The evidence on the association of systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis and multiple myeloma (MM) is scarce and controversial. Herein we aim to address this topic in a large series of patients of a referral center. All consecutive AL amyloidosis patients treated at our center from January 2005 to April 2023 were prospectively enrolled in a clinical and epidemiological registry. 141 patients diagnosed with AL amyloidosis were included, of which 7 (5%) had localized whereas 134 presented with systemic disease. The heart was the most frequently affected organ (90.3%). 25 patients (18.7%) fulfilled the IMWG diagnostic criteria of MM (AL/MM). Time-dependent association between AL and MM showed that the synchronous pattern is more frequent than the appearance of a second primary malignancy. The diagnostic delay was six months (m). Patients with AL/MM had a poorer median overall survival (OS) than AL-only patients (35.5 m, CI 95% 0-88.9, vs. 52.6 m, CI 95% 16.7-88.5), but this difference was not statistically significant. The prognosis in AL is dominated by the heart involvement, which is massive in this series. In our Cox regression model, only three prognostic variables remain as independent prognostic factors: age, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (≥8500 ng/L), and undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction shows a marginal effect. More and large studies focusing on the AL/MM association are needed to uncover the characteristics and prognostic impact of this association.

9.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 9208, 2023 06 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37280388

ABSTRACT

Falls are one of the main concerns in the elderly population due to their high prevalence and associated consequences. Guidelines for the management of the elder with falls are comprised of multidimensional assessments, especially gait and balance. Daily clinical practice needs for timely, effortless, and precise tools to assess gait. This work presents the clinical validation of the G-STRIDE system, a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) with onboard processing algorithms, that allows the calculation of walking-related metrics correlated with clinical markers of fall risk. A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted with 163 participants (falls and non-falls groups). All volunteers were assessed with clinical scales and conducted a 15-min walking test at a self-selected pace while wearing the G-STRIDE. G-STRIDE is a low-cost solution to facilitate the transfer to society and clinical evaluations. It is open hardware and flexible and, thus, has the advantage of providing runtime data processing. Walking descriptors were derived from the device, and a correlation analysis was conducted between walking and clinical variables. G-STRIDE allowed measuring walking parameters in non-restricted walking conditions (e.g. hallway). Walking parameters statistically discriminate between falls and non-falls groups. We found good/excellent estimation accuracy (ICC = 0.885; [Formula: see text]) for walking speed, showing good/excellent correlation between gait speed and several clinical variables. G-STRIDE can calculate walking-related metrics that allow for discrimination between falls and non-falls groups, which correlates with clinical indicators of fall risk. A preliminary fall-risk assessment based on the walking parameters was found to improve the Timed Up and Go test in the identification of fallers.


Subject(s)
Gait , Postural Balance , Humans , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Case-Control Studies , Time and Motion Studies , Walking
10.
Rev Esp Enferm Dig ; 2023 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37366036

ABSTRACT

We present the case of an uncommon manifestation of metastatic breast cancer as an occlusive colorectal stenosis with submucosal location. The endoscopic rectal ultrasound allowed to confirm the diagnosis with transmural biopsies.

11.
Indian J Plast Surg ; 56(2): 124-129, 2023 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37153332

ABSTRACT

Background Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) is an uncommon benign condition in which a bone is replaced by fibrous tissue. An adequate clinical characterization considering the number of affected bones and functional impairment is important to determine the most effective surgical intervention for its management. This study aims to present our institution's experience in the evaluation and management of CFD. Methods This was a retrospective study that included patients with CFD managed at our institution. Data included demographic characteristics, afflicted bones, surgical procedures performed, and recurrence. Results are presented as mean and percentages. Recurrence-free years and association between the type of surgery and recurrence was evaluated. Results Eighteen patients were included (11 females, 61%). The zygomatic, maxillary, and frontal bones were the most commonly affected with eight (18%) cases each. The most common procedure was bone burring, with 36 procedures. Recurrence was more prevalent after burring (58.3%) and occurred earlier than in the bone resection group (13 vs. 15 years, p > 0.05). Conclusion Surgery continues to be the cornerstone of CFD treatment. Bone burring is effective for debulking and contouring but increases the risk for recurrence. An individualized approach should be tailored according to the anatomical location of the disease, type of CFD, behavior of the lesion, and accompanying clinical complaints.

12.
Cells ; 12(9)2023 04 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37174653

ABSTRACT

While neurons have traditionally been considered the primary players in information processing, the role of astrocytes in this mechanism has largely been overlooked due to experimental constraints. In this review, we propose that astrocytic ensembles are active working groups that contribute significantly to animal conduct and suggest that studying the maps of these ensembles in conjunction with neurons is crucial for a more comprehensive understanding of behavior. We also discuss available methods for studying astrocytes and argue that these ensembles, complementarily with neurons, code and integrate complex behaviors, potentially specializing in concrete functions.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes , Neurons , Animals , Astrocytes/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Cognition , Models, Neurological
13.
Chem Sci ; 14(13): 3531-3540, 2023 Mar 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37006672

ABSTRACT

AMX3 compounds are structurally diverse, a notable example being the post-perovskite structure which adopts a two-dimensional framework with corner- and edge-sharing octahedra. Few molecular post-perovskites are known and of these, none have reported magnetic structures. Here we report the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of molecular post-perovskites: CsNi(NCS)3, a thiocyanate framework, and two new isostructural analogues CsCo(NCS)3 and CsMn(NCS)3. Magnetisation measurements show that all three compounds undergo magnetic order. CsNi(NCS)3 (Curie temperature, T C = 8.5(1) K) and CsCo(NCS)3 (T C = 6.7(1) K) order as weak ferromagnets. On the other hand, CsMn(NCS)3 orders as an antiferromagnet (Néel temperature, T N = 16.8(8) K). Neutron diffraction data of CsNi(NCS)3 and CsMn(NCS)3, show that both are non-collinear magnets. These results suggest molecular frameworks are fruitful ground for realising the spin textures required for the next generation of information technology.

14.
Mov Disord ; 38(5): 755-763, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36912400

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peripheral inflammatory immune responses are suggested to play a major role in dopaminergic degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a well-established biomarker of systemic inflammation in PD. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system can be assessed in vivo using [123 I]FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography imaging of striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) density. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between the peripheral immune profile (NLR, lymphocytes, and neutrophils) and striatal DAT density in patients with PD. METHODS: We assessed clinical features, the peripheral immune profile, and striatal [123 I]FP-CIT DAT binding levels of 211 patients with PD (primary-cohort). Covariate-controlled associations between the immune response and striatal DAT levels were assessed using linear regression analyses. For replication purposes, we also studied a separate cohort of 344 de novo patients with PD enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI-cohort). RESULTS: A higher NLR was significantly associated with lower DAT levels in the caudate (primary-cohort: ß = -0.01, p < 0.001; PPMI-cohort: ß = -0.05, p = 0.05) and the putamen (primary-cohort: ß = -0.05, p = 0.02; PPMI-cohort: ß = -0.06, p = 0.02). Intriguingly, a lower lymphocyte count was significantly associated with lower DAT levels in both the caudate (primary-cohort: ß = +0.09, p < 0.05; PPMI-cohort: ß = +0.11, p = 0.02) and the putamen (primary-cohort: ß = +0.09, p < 0.05, PPMI-cohort: ß = +0.14, p = 0.01), but an association with the neutrophil count was not consistently observed (caudate; primary-cohort: ß = -0.05, p = 0.02; PPMI-cohort: ß = 0, p = 0.94; putamen; primary-cohort: ß = -0.04, p = 0.08; PPMI-cohort: ß = -0.01, p = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings across two independent cohorts suggest a relationship between systemic inflammation and dopaminergic degeneration in patients with PD. This relationship was mainly driven by the lymphocyte count. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.


Subject(s)
Parkinson Disease , Humans , Parkinson Disease/complications , Parkinson Disease/diagnostic imaging , Parkinson Disease/metabolism , Tropanes , Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Corpus Striatum/metabolism , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon/methods , Inflammation/diagnostic imaging
15.
Trop Med Infect Dis ; 8(3)2023 Mar 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36977182

ABSTRACT

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is generally asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, but in the immunosuppressed host, it is associated with more severe and complicated forms with a worse prognosis. S. stercoralis seroprevalence was studied in 256 patients before receiving immunosuppressive treatment (before kidney transplantation or starting biological treatments). As a control group, serum bank data of 642 individuals representative of the population of the Canary Islands were retrospectively analyzed. To avoid false positives due to cross-reactivity with other similar helminth antigens present in the study area, IgG antibodies to Toxocara spp. and Echinococcus spp. were evaluated in cases positive for Strongyloides. The data show this is a prevalent infection: 1.1% of the Canarian population, 2.38% of Canarian individuals awaiting organ transplants and 4.8% of individuals about to start biological agents. On the other hand, strongyloidiasis can remain asymptomatic (as observed in our study population). There are no indirect data, such as country of origin or eosinophilia, to help raise suspicion of the disease. In summary, our study suggests that screening for S. stercoralis infection should be performed in patients who receive immunosuppressive treatment for solid organ transplantation or biological agents, in line with previous publications.

16.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(5)2023 Feb 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36901728

ABSTRACT

In recent years, invasive fungal infections have emerged as a common source of infections in immunosuppressed patients. All fungal cells are surrounded by a cell wall that is essential for cell integrity and survival. It prevents cell death and lysis resulting from high internal turgor pressure. Since the cell wall is not present in animal cells, it is an ideal target for selective invasive fungal infection treatments. The antifungal family known as echinocandins, which specifically inhibit the synthesis of the cell wall ß(13)glucan, has been established as an alternative treatment for mycoses. To explore the mechanism of action of these antifungals, we analyzed the cell morphology and glucan synthases localization in Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells during the initial times of growth in the presence of the echinocandin drug caspofungin. S. pombe are rod-shaped cells that grow at the poles and divide by a central division septum. The cell wall and septum are formed by different glucans, which are synthesized by four essential glucan synthases: Bgs1, Bgs3, Bgs4, and Ags1. Thus, S. pombe is not only a perfect model for studying the synthesis of the fungal ß(1-3)glucan, but also it is ideal for examining the mechanisms of action and resistance of cell wall antifungals. Herein, we examined the cells in a drug susceptibility test in the presence of either lethal or sublethal concentrations of caspofungin, finding that exposure to the drug for long periods at high concentrations (>10 µg/mL) induced cell growth arrest and the formation of rounded, swollen, and dead cells, whereas low concentrations (<10 µg/mL) permitted cell growth with a mild effect on cell morphology. Interestingly, short-term treatments with either high or low concentrations of the drug induced effects contrary to those observed in the susceptibility tests. Thus, low drug concentrations induced a cell death phenotype that was not observed at high drug concentrations, which caused transient fungistatic cell growth arrest. After 3 h, high concentrations of the drug caused the following: (i) a decrease in the GFP-Bgs1 fluorescence level; (ii) altered locations of Bgs3, Bgs4, and Ags1; and (iii) a simultaneous accumulation of cells with calcofluor-stained incomplete septa, which at longer times resulted in septation uncoupling from plasma membrane ingression. The incomplete septa revealed with calcofluor were found to be complete when observed via the membrane-associated GFP-Bgs or Ags1-GFP. Finally, we found that the accumulation of incomplete septa depended on Pmk1, the last kinase of the cell wall integrity pathway.


Subject(s)
Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins , Schizosaccharomyces , Schizosaccharomyces/genetics , Antifungal Agents/metabolism , Caspofungin/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism , Cell Wall/metabolism , Glucans/metabolism , Glucosyltransferases/metabolism , Echinocandins
17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36919530

ABSTRACT

Maximum levels of acrylamide have been set by the European Commission (EU) 2017/2158 for several food products due to its carcinogenic properties. Although not regulated yet, European buyers are requesting maximum levels of 0.8 mg kg-1 in artisanal panela (raw cane sugar) from northern Peru. Panela in this area is produced by 600 small holder farmers and exportation guarantees a respectable price in an area with a high index of poverty. The objective here was to determine the cause of high acrylamide concentrations in panela to inform cost effective minimisation strategies. We monitored panela production from field to final product to understand the scale of the problem, identify the cause of acrylamide formation, as well as the effect of storage on its concentration. We also determined the utility of rapid kits for asparagine quantification. Our results indicate that high acrylamide levels are a widespread problem (85% of samples analysed) and there was a correlation between acrylamide and asparagine of R2 = 0.58 (p < 0.001), but not with any post-harvest processing variable. We estimate that with a concentration of asparagine of <0.1 g l-1 in sugarcane juice, the threshold set by buyers for acrylamide can be met. Potential solutions to reduce asparagine include varietal selection, improved agronomic practices and the use of asparaginase during panela production. However, any proposed measure should be applicable in the context of the rural Peru. Additionally, we confirm the utility of rapid and low-cost kits for measuring asparagine. This pioneering study provides a baseline for effective management for acrylamide minimization in panela.


Subject(s)
Acrylamide , Asparagine , Asparagine/analysis , Peru , Acrylamide/analysis , Sugars , Carcinogens/analysis , Hot Temperature
18.
J Phys Chem C Nanomater Interfaces ; 127(6): 3330-3338, 2023 Feb 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36846095

ABSTRACT

A plethora of temperature-induced phase transitions have been observed in (CH3NH3)[M(HCOO)3] compounds, where M is Co(II) or Ni(II). Among them, the nickel compound exhibits a combination of magnetic and nuclear incommensurability below Néel temperature. Despite the fact that the zero-field behavior has been previously addressed, here we study in depth the macroscopic magnetic behavior of this compound to unveil the origin of the atypical magnetic response found in it and in its parent family of formate perovskites. In particular, they show a puzzling magnetization reversal in the curves measured starting from low temperatures, after cooling under zero field. The first atypical phenomenon is the impossibility of reaching zero magnetization, even by nullifying the applied external field and even compensating it for the influence of the Earth's magnetic field. Relatively large magnetic fields are needed to switch the magnetization from negative to positive values or vice versa, which is compatible with a soft ferromagnetic system. The atypical path found in its first magnetization curve and hysteresis loop at low temperatures is the most noticeable feature. The magnetization curve switches from more than 1200 Oe from the first magnetization loop to the subsequent magnetization loops. A feature that cannot be explained using a model based on unbalanced pair of domains. As a result, we decipher this behavior in light of the incommensurate structure of this material. We propose, in particular, that the applied magnetic field induces a magnetic phase transition from a magnetically incommensurate structure to a magnetically modulated collinear structure.

19.
Gastrointest Endosc ; 98(1): 28-35, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36801458

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is increasingly used for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in inoperable patients. However, the impact of EUS-GE on patient quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated prospectively. METHODS: Consecutive patients with unresectable malignant GOO who underwent EUS-GE between August 2019 and May 2021 at 4 Spanish centers were prospectively assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 at baseline and 1 month after the procedure. Centralized follow-up by telephone calls was undertaken. The Gastric Outlet Obstruction Scoring System (GOOSS) was used to assess oral intake, defining clinical success as a GOOSS ≥2. Differences between baseline and 30-day QoL scores were assessed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were enrolled, 33 (51.6%) men, with a median age of 77.3 years (interquartile range, 65.5-86.5). The most common diagnoses were pancreatic (35.9%) and gastric (31.3%) adenocarcinoma. Thirty-seven patients (57.9%) presented a 2/3 baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score. Oral intake was restarted within 48 hours in 61 patients (95.3%), and the median postprocedure hospital stay was 3.5 days (interquartile range, 2-5). The 30-day clinical success rate was 83.3%. A clinically significant increase of 21.6 points (95% confidence interval, 11.5-31.7) in the global health status scale was documented, with significant improvements in nausea and vomiting, pain, constipation, and appetite loss. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-GE relieves GOO symptoms in patients with unresectable malignancy, allowing rapid oral intake and hospital discharge. It also provides a clinically relevant increase in QoL scores at 30 days from baseline. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04660695.).


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Gastric Outlet Obstruction , Male , Humans , Aged , Female , Quality of Life , Prospective Studies , Stents , Retrospective Studies , Gastroenterostomy/methods , Gastric Outlet Obstruction/etiology , Gastric Outlet Obstruction/surgery , Adenocarcinoma/surgery
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